On January 6, the DPRK announced that a hydrogen bomb had been successfully detonated. Russia is closely studying the implications of this announcement and analysing the technical control data after the DPRK’s test. If the testing of a hydrogen bomb is confirmed, it will be the next step in Pyongyang’s development of nuclear weapons, which is a flagrant violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions. Such actions are fraught with the risk of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which already has a high potential for military and political confrontation.

In this situation, we call on all concerned parties to maintain restraint and avoid actions that could create further uncontrolled tensions in Northeast Asia. We reaffirm our support for a diplomatic settlement of the situation on the Korean Peninsula within the six-party talks format and a dialogue aimed at creating a reliable system for peace and security in the region as soon as possible.